2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line
February 25, 2009 by George Skentzos
Seemingly in response to the Mitsubishi Evolution’s SST dual-clutch transmission, Subaru has launched a new automatic version of its flagship Impreza WRX STI in Japan.
The new Impreza WRX STI A-Line uses a five-speed Sportshift transmission from rally-experts Prodrive, with steering wheel mounted shift paddles to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel.
A downshift blipping control system has been included which interacts with the engine management system to match engine revs instantly when changing down gears.
This is in an effort to make the WRX STI more comfortable, with eight-way power adjustable front seats and a new ‘Satin Pearl White’ body colour now available on all STI variants, as well as optional heated leather front seats.
The A-Line is currently available in Japan, although international sales are yet to be confirmed.
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
Finally a AUTO…..hooray!
Like the SatinWhitePearl colour
Will they be coming here?
Cheers,
f-0
Tell me those brakes are not included on the STI ? I can’t see this being any good either, not even a DSG variant, plain Auto!
Seems to have more in common with the EVO VII GT-A (A watered down, more comfortable 5sp auto EVO) than the EVO X MR SST.
^And only a five-speed auto too.
Brakes? Fronts are 17inch with the backs being 16inchers. That’d be the rears in the picture.
The 5 speeder is a head scratcher – why not 6? Roll on the “I hate auto comments” but Porsche have sold a hell of a lot of tiptronics over the past decade. Rich, fat bastards like an auto.
they are not all “fat rich and bastard”. My friend has one he is actually slim, not too rich but I couldn’t comment on the bastard bit.
Oooh an Auto. Subaru being subaru would not outsource a DSG box they’d build their own from scratch. A la diesel engine.
Listen up people, here it loud and hear it once.
GET YOUR BRAKE DISC MEASUREMENTS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This car does not have 17″ brakes as that would approximate 430mm discs. Thats 30mm bigger than Veyron, and bigger than Carrera GT, Murcielago, SLR to name a few. Are you saying this car has bigger brakes than the Veyron? 430mm (17″) brakes require wheels A LOT bigger than the standard 18″ STi alloys.
COMMENTERS AND CAR ADVICE! WATCH YOUR BRAKE SPECS!
You have been warned.
Devil666, put down the gun and take a chill pill mate before you hurt yourself or somebody else.
I see what Subarau is trying to do, it’s in line with their “Rex Grows Up” policy, but if it ain’t dual clutch then why bother? It will only be measured against the much-lauded unit on the Mitsubishi and fail to measure up.
Probably just an enhanced version of the Liberty GT 5 speed auto. If the auto comes to oz, I rekon it will have a pretty positive impact on STI sales!
have mentioned this before and i’ll say it again, subaru and stakeholder toyota need to get together now and develop a dual clutch semi-auto asap. they cannot plead ignorance on this (VW DSG has been out for years now). like their move to update the next gen 09 liberty to a CVT trasmission (well overdue), they need to get a dual clutch out there now or they will lose sales to people that drive their cars in heavy traffic (ie, dsg in auto mode). subaru don’t have the resources to do this themselves, just get toyota to help you! we don’t care if the same auto is used in both toyotas and subarus, just give us the choice subaru and do it now!
current 99 wrx driver, waiting for a dual clutch on a new wrx. still waiting!!
I agree totally with these comments. I too are waiting to switch, question is If I’m made to wait too long I just might get myself an EVO instead.
Devil666, the article mentions nothing of brakes.
Also, Flow is correct. Here is the direct quote from the press release:
“17-inches ventilated dual piston disk brakes for the front, and 16-inches disk brakes for the rear were fitted.”
Do not comment based on your ignorance. YOU have been warned.
WHY BOTHER with a dual clutch gearbox when the sti already has one of the best 6speed proper manual gearboxes!!!
im not a fan of autos or dual cluth gearboxes anyway, nothing is as good as a proper close ratio strong 6sp manual box..
osu811 – agree that the STi has an excellent 6spd manual. however, look at the likes of Audi and VW (not to mention Porsche and BMW) with the influx of semi-auto dual clutch gearboxes as an option. it’s about offering it as an alternative, nothing more. even the head of subaru aust realises that more people are transitioning to semi-autos than ever before. and how many people who’ve got a DSG car now will then revert back to a manual for their next car? not many! which translates into decreased sales for those car companies that cannot adapt and provide an equivalent gearbox in their sports cars. if that scenario keeps up, then VW will eventually own Subaru.
Whats up with the copy-cat BF FPV GT driving lights???
Thanks George.. incredible what happens when people _read_
Much as we gentlemen may deplore the uncivilised tone of the contributor (but then in his defence he does regard himself as a son of Satan, not known down through history for his manners) he does have a point. Unfortunately, experience shows one cannot always rely on auto-industry press releases for accurate info.
The brake discs on the Japanese domestic market WRX STi A-line cannot be 17 inches in diameter – that’s 17 x 2.54 cm, which is just over 43 cm. As Devil666 points out, that’s enormous! It seems to me more likely that the discs have been called 17″ in the press release because they have been fitted to 17″ wheels.
You guys need to relax a lil. lol. all in all, its about STi vs EVO and the STi is always one step ahead.
I mean people before you insult the gear box read the press release.
Prodrive are the rally gearbox kings, i have driven entry level Subie with entry level one of their semi auto’s.
There is a reason that rally cars use their semi auto’s.
The new DSG’s are probably better and you can expect Prodrive to make / share one with someone sooner or later.
Apart from the fact that rallying has been completely screwed from 2011.